Directed by Renny Harkin and starring some of the finest actors of the 2000s, The Covenant is a supernatural flick that has equal parts thrill and equal parts humor. Regarded by thriller aficionados as a solid attempt to blend the best of both worlds – magic and wizardry with thrill and realism, the movie is bound to keep you enraptured for the better portion of the two hours.
Starring Steven Strait, Sebastian Stan, Laura Ramsey, Taylor Kitsch, and Chace Crawford, the movie even inspired a whole range of comic book series by Top Cow and Image Comics. Packed with engaging fight sequences, over-the-top VFX effects, and sufficient twists and turns, the movie could easily be hailed as a sort of turning point for its lead actors.
The plot narrates the story of four teenagers, Caleb (played by Strait), Pogue (played by Kitsch), Reid (played by Toby Hemingway), and Tyler (played by Chace Crawford), studying in an elite high school of the fictional Ipswich. The boys are direct descendants of a colonial family with supernatural powers dating back as early as the Salem witch trials.
They realize the full powers of their magical abilities on their 18th birthdays, but uncannily, they have something else in store for them. Caleb meets a new girl, Sarah Wenham from Boston, played by Laura Ramsey, and this creates the base of a whirlwind romance as well as the cause of misery.
Chace, played by Sebastian Stan, who has become a TV heartthrob with enterprising roles in Gossip Girl and Marvel, enters the scene as the power-hungry antagonist determined to wreck Caleb’s life. The rest of the movie follows the duel of the two guys, Caleb and Chace, the former trying to prevent the latter’s quest from harnessing everyone’s powers.
The lighting and cinematography were clinchers. The movie might have fallen short in terms of scriptwriting, but against the Twilight-like backdrop with dark, gothic features, the special effects stood out like anything. Be it the close-ups of Stan when he’s on a retrospective monologue or the teen romantic sequence played out by Caleb and Sarah, these two hours of visual marvel add a feel-good factor to it.
For thriller fans, the duel scenes and the four boys dealing with the mystery of “whodunit” following an unexplained murder at Spenser Academy are clinchers.
If you loved The Covenant, then we have listed 30+ movies for you that should definitely be in your binge list.
1. Underworld
Written by Danny McBride, this 2003 action horror movie follows the story of Selene, played by Kate Beckinsale as a descendant of an ancient and elite family of vampires headed by Viktor. Selene falls in love with Michael, an ordinary medical student who gets transformed into a werewolf after getting bitten by one.
The rest of the story follows a backbreaking fabled rivalry between vampires and Lycans, an extremely powerful breed of werewolves, and the various interfamily forbidden romantic affairs. Starring Scott Speedman, Bill Nighy, and Michael Sheen, among others, the movie grossed US$ 95 million and was a surprise hit.
The reviews and the fandom were so encouraging that it kick-started a whole range of sequels. The best part of this movie was perhaps the meticulous writing and extensively worked out vampire-werewolf mythology and the action sequences.
2. Underworld: Evolution
The sequel to Underworld was released three years later with the same cast and as a continuation of the previous storyline. Selene and Michael set out to protect Corvinus, Markus’s twin brother, who is supposedly the first and most powerful werewolf. Michael, who’s a half-vampire and half-Lycan, gets hounded by Marcus, an elderly vampire who wants to perpetuate the enmity between the two families.
Together the lovers try to unravel the history behind this ancient rift and hopefully put an end to it all. The movie garnered huge success at the box office and among action lovers and got nominated for several Chainsaw Awards for acting and VFX. For her role as the vampire protagonist Selene, Beckinsale received the Golden Schmoes Best T&A of the Year award and the Best Scream Queen award.
3. Underworld: Rise of the Lycans
The Gothic and dramatic prequel to Underworld narrates the story of the Lycan werewolf, Lucian, played by Michael Sheen who falls in love with Sonja, Viktor’s daughter who happens to be a vampire. What ensues is a terrible fight between the Lycans and the vampires, for love and retribution.
Boasting a solid cast including Bill Nighy, Rhona Mitra, Steven Mackintosh, and Shane Brolly, it packs in both the intrigue of a supernatural thriller as well as the fatigues of a doomed romance. The movie was released on January 23, 2003, and was immediately met with immense success. It went on to become one of the highest-grossing movies in the franchise. His role as scorned lover Lucian who lost the love of his life (Sonja) earned Sheen widespread recognition in Hollywood.
4. Underworld: Awakening
The fourth installment in this multimillion dollars worth movie franchise, this movie directly picks up from where they left off in Underworld II. Much like the Covenant, it boosts dark, mysterious characters with a brooding past and an ultimate faceoff between good and evil.
Written by Len Wiseman and John Hlavin, Selene teams up with another girl, Eve, and a vampire, David (played by Theo James) to fight humans who plan to eradicate her race. Kate Beckinsale reprises her role as the feisty vampire determined to fight for justice whereas the rest of the crew consisted of debutantes with a good knack for acting and delivering as per the script. Critical response wasn’t overwhelming enough but the movie grossed a whopping $97 million overseas.
5. The Hole
Directed by Joe Dante, this American 3D fantasy horror movie packs in quite a punch that will send your teen hormones reeling. Set in Bensenville, the story follows two brothers Dane and Lucas Thompson who discover a trapdoor in their basement.
Along with their neighbor Julie, the Thompson brothers set out to explore the unknown and end up releasing some mysterious and dangerous supernatural force swirling in the Hole. Starring young actors Chris Massoglia, Haley Bennett, and Nathan Gamble among others, the movie received an overall positive response and 81% rotten tomatoes. What it shares with The Covenant is the same panache for suburban teen thrillers which is equal parts scary and exciting. The movie ends on a similar note where the evil could not be completely eradicated but makes way for a comeback.
6. The Haunting of Molly Hartley
Chace Crawford and Haley Bennett[/caption]
Although this movie kind of tanked at the box office, for lovers of The Covenant this would still be a thrilling watch. Consisting of a few common cast members from The Covenant like Chace Crawford and Haley Bennett, it revolves around Molly Hartley played by Bennett starting at a new high school.
Molly soon grabs the attention of one of the more popular high school guys played by Crawford but she has a dark past too. Her mother, played by Marin Hinkle, happened to attack her when she was a teen and was the victim of some strange supernatural power. Along with Joseph and Dr. Emerson, another acquaintance from a mental hospital, Molly then goes on a quest that would bring her face to face with some life-changing ordeals. A sequel to the same movie, The Exorcism of Molly Hartley was released in 2015.
7. House at the End of the Street
This psychological thriller comes straight out of the hat for director Mark Tonderai and has been critically acclaimed for both the script and the acting. If that is not enough for a convincing first watch, then the fact that it has a stellar cast starring Jennifer Lawrence, Max Thieriot, Gil Bellows, and Elisabeth Sue must surely grab eyeballs.
Lawrence is, of course, the protagonist here as a young teenager who moves into a new neighborhood with her mother Sarah after the latter’s divorce. Elissa starts dating Ryan from down the street, pushing the mother-daughter duo’s relations off to a rocky start. Ryan, portrayed by Thieriot, happens to be the brother of Carrie Anne, the victim of a gruesome murder. However, they discover darker truths behind this seemingly tragic family drama that leads to cyclical visits between murder sites and psychiatric wards. The film won Lawrence the People’s Choice Awards in 2013 and a nomination for the MTV movie awards.
8. The Final Destination
This supernatural horror movie directed by David R. Ellis has 3 prequels already and is hardly a franchise no one has heard of. It starts with Nick having a premonition about his friends’ deaths at a racecourse and has a near nervous breakdown. He faces bewilderment on behalf of a few and wild speculation on behalf of others but as Destiny would have it, a stray tire claims the life of one of his friends.
The rest of the plot follows Nick and his two friends, Lori and Janet on a mission to alter the courses of their lives laid out by Death. The movie starring Bobby Campo as Nick, Shantel VanSanten as Lori Milligan, and Haley Webb as Janet Cunningham, the movie was a big commercial success. It debuted at the top of the box office in the US and grossed $186.2 million worldwide, making it the highest-grossing movie in the franchise. The Covenant and The Final Destination share some similarities in terms of plot, characters, and even cinematic style, which makes it such a thrill to watch.
9. Scream 3
Written by Ehren Kruger, this movie comes highly recommended by fans of a slasher-fest. Starring Courtney Cox, David Arquette, and Neve Campbell, the film revolves around Sidney and her three friends while they’re out on a visit to Hollywood. The movie comes as the final installment in the Scream franchise and combines both the thrill and comic timing of a teen flick.
Like all other satires of the Scream, it stars the typical villainous Ghostface who goes on a rampant killing spree from an actress to her boyfriend and bodyguard. The rest of the movie deals with Sidney (played by Campbell), Dewey, and Gale (played by David and Cox respectively) trying to figure out the secret identity of Ghostface and prevent further murders. The movie earned several accolades and nominations including the Saturn Award, Blockbuster entertainment award for Favourite actress (Neve Campbell), MTV Movie Award, and Teen Choice Award for Choice Chemistry (Courtney Cox and David Arquette).
10. The Killing Room
Directed by Jonathan Liebesman, this 2009 American psychological horror movie is sure to give your thrill hormones on a spike surge. It was released officially at the Sundance Movie Festival and rated as one of the most daring, brutal, and scary by MTV critics. The script is vastly different from The Covenant, however, what can appeal to the horror-fest fan in you is the cinematic style and the jump scares that are scattered throughout the film.
It centers on four adults who enroll themselves in a psychological research study in the hopes of earning a few extra bucks. However, they find themselves tricked into participating in an Indoctrination program which could potentially kill them or damage them psychologically. The movie stars mostly young and new actors like Chloë Sevigny, Nick Cannon, Timothy Hutton, and Clea Duvall who deliver with panache and style.
11. Lost River
When single mom Billy moves into a dilapidating neighborhood in Detroit with her two sons, Bones, and Franky, it leads to a series of mysterious occurrences and exploration into the unknown. Written, produced, and directed by actor Ryan Gosling, this 2009 American psychological horror movie stars Christina Hendricks, Saoirse Ronan, Iain De Caestecker, and Matt Smith. Teenage Bones falls for Franky, the girl next door and together they discover an underwater city, Lost River.
This sets forth a sequence of events that puts to test both his strain his limits as well as for those he loves. The movie earned 3 wins and 5 nominations including Best Cinematography at Bosphorus Film Festival for Benoît Debie and a Golden Camera nomination at the Cannes Film festival for Ryan Gosling. For Covenant fans, this movie is a must-watch.
12. The Lords of Salem
Written and directed by Rob Zombie, The Lords of Salem is loosely based on the historical Salem witch trials and packs in quite the punch as a psychological horror fest. Heidi, played by Sheri Moon Zombie, joins two Hermans, Whitey, and Munster, to deejay at their rock station, The Big H Radio Team when a mysterious box of vinyl records land upon her doorstep.
The next hour of the movie goes into exploring the deep dark secrets behind the identity of the anonymous sender of the records, Lords of Salem, and how Heidi’s past and future are intertwined with the Salems. Although the movie has been criticized on the grounds of lacking special effects, however, critics claim it is probably Rob’s one of best forays into a direction. The movie won Fright Meter Award (2013) for Best Score and got nominated twice for its cinematography for The Fright Meter Award.
13. The Empty Man
This American psychological horror movie directed by David Prior in 2020 follows the story of an ex-cop who embarks on the trail of a young teenage girl who has gone missing. James Lasombra, played by James Badge Dale is recently widowed and without family. When his next-door neighbor, Nora’s daughter, played by Sasha Frolova goes missing with just the words “The Empty man made me do it” scribbled on her mirror, it sets James on a quest for the truth.
On his journey, he faces the wrath of a supernatural cult with demonic leanings and even this fabled Empty Man. The movie, upon its release, had a slow start but gained momentum among horror show fans for its subtle twists and extremely thrilling plot. It finished fourth in the opening weekend at the box office and is widely acclaimed for its surreal and unsettling projection of the Empty Man.
14. Insidious
Right from the vision of legendary spook director, James Wan comes this horror masterpiece that must surely capture the hearts of all Covenant fans. This supernatural horror movie released in 2010 stars some of the big names like Adam Lambert as Josh, Rose Byrne as Renai, and Lin Sheigh as Elise among others.
When Josh and Renai move into their new home with their three kids, seeking a fresh start, little do they realize how the spirits of the former residents in that house would upturn their lives forever. Very soon, their 12 years old son Dalton succumbs to a coma from an accident which is later revealed as an insidious possession by the Devil. They enlist the help of Elise and her two associates who try to track down the evil spirits in an attempt to save Dalton’s life and uncover other dark secrets in the process. The movie was a huge success, grossing about 99.5 million USD at the box office. It is hands down one of the scariest productions of Wan, which earned him 8 awards and multiple nominations including the award for Best Director at the Fright Meter Awards in 2013.
15. The Ritual
Four friends have a much-awaited rendezvous on a hiking trip in Sweden but what started as an eventful trip soon turned into their worst nightmares. When one of the guys, Dom hurts his right knee, the remaining three are forced to fight their way through the forest to look for accommodation for the night.
However, they encounter a religious cult at the lodge that systematically sacrifices the lives of new entrants. The next hour or so focuses on the friends’ attempts to save their own lives as well as each other’s lives all the while having to come face to face with some harsh truths and tragic losses. Directed by David Bruckner and written by Joe Barton, this British supernatural horror fest garnered 74% on Rotten Tomatoes and several awards including British Independent Film Awards (2017) for Best Effects, Best Actor at Sitges – Catalonian International Film Festival (2017) for Rafe Spall and several others.
16. The Craft: Legacy
Starring Hollywood heartthrob and Purple Hearts actor, Nicholas Galitzine and the True Detective actress, Michelle Monaghan, this 2020 fantasy horror film is sure to send you on a rollercoaster ride. While this has nothing of the gritty supernatural horror element like The Covenant, the movie is more of a supernatural arthouse creation.
Helen and David move into a new town with their respective kids but they have a hard time getting along. Lily who’s only a teenager befriends three girls from her high school with magical abilities. When one of her step-brothers tries to humiliate her, the girls decide to use their powers and take revenge, but without precaution. Although a bit amateurish in terms of true horror critics, the film packs in some solid dialogues here and there. For people who love special effects, this could even be a fun watch. It was nominated for the Outstanding Movie of the Year award by GLAAD Media Awards In 2021 and even won the Best Costume Design at the CAFTCAD Awards.
17. The Unborn
This American supernatural horror might be a tad offbeat compared to The Covenant but if you are looking for a thrilling watch on a Saturday night, this should be it. Written and directed by David S. Goyer, who has previously wowed us with productions like The Dark Knight and The Sandman, comes this gem of a movie.
The protagonist of the story is 25-year-old Casey, played by Odette Annabelle, who is haunted by the memories of her twin brother who died while still in the womb. To unravel the truth behind such premonitions, she starts hunting down old family connections and learns her life is threatened by this supernatural entity. Starring Gary Oldman, Idris Elba, and Cam Gigandet, this 2009 movie is sure to keep you glued to your seats for the entire one and half hours.
18. The Amityville Horror
Ryan Reynolds and Chloe Grace Mortez get together in this scary production to deliver goosebumps, we’ve never experienced before. The film starts innocently enough with the married couple, George and Kathy (played by Reynolds and Melissa George respectively) moving into their new house in Long Island.
Soon they realize that the house is haunted by demonic forces that could be perceived only by their kids, George and Chelsea (played by Mortez) and further inspection reveal it had been previously the site of mass murder. What follows next is the slow descent of the family into utter madness, 28 days of sheet terror and fighting the unknown. Directed by Andrew Douglas, this movie remains to be one of the best in the supernatural horror genre and has earned 6 nominations. It won Reynolds his Teen Choice Award for The Choice Scary Scene and Golden Trailer Award for the Best Horror movie.
19. My Soul to Take
Directed by Wes Craven and produced by Universal Pictures, this movie is more of a slasher fest rather than a supernatural drama. However, like The Covenant, it adds plenty of suspense and intrigue and is apt for the crowd of teen movie buffs who have a thing for the grim and macabre.
It stars some of the finest actors like Max Thieriot, Denzel Whittaker, John Magaro, and Emily Meade at the onset of their acting careers. The plot kicks off with a Riverton legend about seven teens who were supposed to die at the hands of a mysterious serial killer. When Adam, one of the doomed teens, starts having visions of terrible crimes being committed along with people suddenly going missing in reality, he must move heaven and earth to save the lives of his close ones. This also happened to be the directorial debut for Wes Craven and has been widely appreciated by horror fans all over.
20. The Nightmare on Elm Street
Yet another beguiling and daring production from Wes Craven, this American supernatural thriller has been in the rounds forever among horror movie buffs. Teenager Nancy Thompson is tormented by a serial killer in her nightmares and all revolve around her and her friends being on Elm Street.
Rattled by such recurring episodes, Nancy and her friends team up to unmask the identity of the killer except he only exists in their nightmares. The movie packs in plentiful drama and swearing, jumpscares, and special effects, all of which make it a riveting watch. For people who loved The Covenant, this movie should be on their weekend binge list. It won 5 awards and several nominations.
21. Friday the 13th
This is yet another American slasher movie directed by Sean S. Cunningham and written by Victor Miller. The movie revolves around three summer camp counselors entrusted with the duties at Camp Crystal Lake. This is however no ordinary summer camp as it has been the site of several macabre incidents of bloodshed and murder previously.
When Jack, Macie, and Ned try to unravel the myth of the “death curse” which enshrouds the Lake and claims the lives of children, they come head to head with the person they least expected. This movie is often credited as the first of its kind in the horror genre and has kick-started a whole new range of slasher cinema. Starring Adrienne King, Kevin Bacon, Harry Crosby, and Betsy Palmer, Friday the 13th has won several nominations and awards and even has quite a few sequels to its credit.
22. It (Part one)
One of the most successful films in the horror fantasy genre, It starts with a band of school kids from the local town of Derry who embark on a quest to find one of the boys, Bill’s brother, George. The town is plagued by rumors and myths about the shapeshifting monster who steals children and takes them down with him, referred to as “It” in the movie.
The kids, members of the Losers club, befriend a new girl Beverly and what starts as something innocent soon turns into nightmares of epic proportions. Starring Bill Skarsgard as the evil clown Pennywise and child actors, Finn Wolfhard, Jaeden Martell, Sophia Lillis, and others, this movie went on to garner a record high 48 nominations and won several awards. The movie is an adaptation of a horror novel written by Stephen King the same name.
23. Mirrors
Directed by Alexander Aja, this American supernatural horror movie stars Kiefer Sutherland as an ex-cop of the NYPD. When Ben is hired to investigate a sudden fire outbreak at Mayflower Department Store, he starts getting haunted by demonic forces that reside behind the mirrors of the store.
This puts to test his patience and credibility as a recovering alcoholic, all the while trying to fight the evil forces that might potentially take his family away from him. Much like The Covenant, the movie shares graphic imagery and special effects to render the viewers with a spine-chilling experience. It earned 6.1 out of 10 in IdmB ratings and even has a sequel to its credit.
24. Night Teeth
Released in 2021, the Night teeth by Adam Randall has proven to be a big hit among Netizens who prefer vampire stories with spine-chilling visuals. Benny, played by Jorge Lendeborg Jr., works part-time as a chauffeur in the night when he encounters two strange, alluring women in Los Angeles.
The two girls, Blaire and Zoe then invite Benny to a wild night of partying and unadulterated fun, only to turn him into a sacrificial goat for their centuries-old vampire coven. The rest of the movie plays out in sordid notes of the ancient rivalry between vampires and humans, with the former suffering from an insatiable thirst for blood and the latter trying to annihilate them. The film runs for one and a half hours and would be well-liked among fans of the horror genre.
25. Interview with the Vampire
Directed by Neil Jordan and based on a book of the same name, this 1994 American gothic movie is one to remember. Starring Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise, Kirsten Dunst, and Christian Slater, the movie revolves around two centuries-old families of vampires based in San Francisco.
Louis, played by Brad Pitt, in a tragic turn of events loses his wife and chooses to die but encounters a vampire Lestat, played by Cruise. Reluctantly he gets transformed into a vampire but detests his life till he meets Claudia (Dunst) who has met a similar fate. The rest of the movie narrates the intra-family duels and murder and bloodshed, all in the search for a somehow better life. The movie was a huge box office success and a stepping stone for all three actors’ careers. It went on to win 24 awards and several nominations.
26. Slender man
The supernatural entity of this movie based on whom the title is fixed, the Slender man happens to be a character created by Viktor Surge. The film thus heavily derives its concept from the ancient lore of the Slender man who could be summoned at will using some occult ritual.
When three friends from a small town in Massachusetts attempt to dispel this scary myth, they instead find themselves in the grasp of some faceless monster who could either steal their sanity or kill them. Starring The Kissing Booth actress, Joey King, and Javier Voter as the Slender Man, this movie could be a refreshing watch for the fans of The Covenant.
27. The Wretched
If you are into witchcraft and occult mysteries, this 2019 supernatural horror movie is definitely for you. Writer and director duo, Brett Pierce and Drew T. Pierce paints an intriguing tale of drama and suspense, thrill and vigor in The Wretched, which also stars John-Paul Howard, Piper Curda, and Jamison Jones among others.
The plot centers on Ben, a teenager who is both disturbed and depressed by his parent’s impending divorce. As a result, he has become temperamental and cocky. When he encounters next-door neighbor Mallory, who happens to be a witch, his entire life seems to stir up in the most unimaginable ways possible. The movie was critically acclaimed for its powerful dialogues, excellent script, and even better acting. It won 4 awards including the Scariest movie at Toronto Film Festival and received several nominations.
28. The Blair Witch Project
When three friends, Heather, Josh, and Mike embark on a mission to unravel the truth behind the local Blair Witch legend, little do they realize the grim future that is in store for them. Directed by Daniel Myrick and Eduardo Sánchez, this movie that is inspired by real events can prove to be an exciting watch.
Directed by Daniel Myrick and Eduardo Sánchez, this movie that is inspired by real events can prove to be an exciting watch. The film is shown in the form of a documentary and rather disjoint footage from the reels of the film students who are the protagonists here. Even a year later, there is no trace of the trio, believed by most to have been captured by the nightmarish creature residing in the Black Hills of Burkittsville. Much of the stills in the movie are similar to the Covenant and it has even won 19 awards and 26 nominations in various categories.
29. Dark Shadows
This Johnny Depp and Michelle Pfeiffer-starred supernatural horror movie is quite a surprise watch and a good one. Right out of the basket of eccentric director Tim Burton, Dark Shadows shares quite a few similarities with The Covenant – from plot to graphic imagery and even the set lighting and props.
Set in 18th century Maine, Barnabus (Depp) is a rich playboy who ditches Angelique, a beautiful and spiteful witch, played by Eva Green. Enraged Angelique curses Barnabus to the life of a vampire until he gets a second chance at life with the help of a dysfunctional family, the Collins. The movie is well crafted to suit the demands for drama and suspense and includes several other big names in Hollywood like Helena Bonham Carter and Chloe Grace Mortez.
30. Witches in the Woods
Directed by Jordan Barker, this is a supernatural thriller that deals with witchcraft and references to the 1993 movie, The Exorcist. A group of friends decide to go on a trip in the woods following the end of their freshman year but lose their SUV mysteriously. Jill and Philip, the lead characters then set out on a hunt for their lost car but in the process, the group gets disbanded.
What follows next is a series of suspicious and blood-curdling events that make the friends question their interpersonal dynamics as well as find the miscreants who are responsible for this. The movie stars new actors, Hannah Kasulka, Craig Arnold, Sasha Clements, and Corbin Bleu, and comes highly recommended on Netflix.
If you loved The Covenant and are looking forward to snuggling into your blanket this fall and watching some blood-curdling, spine-chilling, and mind-riveting movie, then this list is definitely for you.
It is perfect for a Halloween party watch as well as for a late-night watch with your partner. But whatever the context, these movies should feature in your binge-watch list.
Also read: Where is The Craft Filmed? All the Locations and Sets
